Maple Tree Montessori
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Maria Montessori

Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an exceptional and innovative educator, scientist, philosopher, and humanitarian. After becoming the first woman to graduate from medicine at the University of Rome, she practiced surgical medicine for a decade. She was a tireless campaigner for equal rights and an active humanitarian, spending countless hours at a mental institution, helping children learn and develop.
Montessori returned to university to study educational philosophy, psychology, and anthropology. She was appointed Professor of Anthropology at the University of Rome in 1904, and continued her work with children, publishing her findings in medical journals. In 1907, she began working with children in a day nursery, her “Casa dei Bambini,” and spent the next two decades observing the children and experimenting with her teaching techniques.

The Montessori Method
Dr. Montessori developed her philosophy of education based upon actual observations of children and her training in medicine, psychology, and anthropology. The Montessori method aims for the fullest possible development of the whole child as preparation for life.

During their early years, children pass through sensitive periods in their development, when they are particularly receptive to certain stimuli. Taking advantage of these sensitive periods, the teacher introduces the child to specialized materials to develop and enhance the senses. The children work at their own pace in a non-competitive environment where beauty and orderliness are stressed. Given the freedom to choose, children reveal their spontaneous love of "work." A busy, quiet atmosphere where freedom with responsibility is promoted is noticeable in a Montessori classroom.

Dr. Montessori described the child's mind between the time of birth and six years of age as the "absorbent mind." During these years, the child has tremendous ability to learn and assimilate from the world around him/her.

Everything in a Montessori classroom has a specific use or purpose and, in the prepared environment, can be seen and touched. Chairs, tables, shelves and materials are all scaled down to the child's size and are within reach.

Montessori teachers are observers and facilitators.  They are ready to guide and direct the children's enthusiasm for learning without interfering with the children's needs. The teacher helps the children to develop their independence.  In this joyful atmosphere of acceptance and respect, the children work through individual cycles of activity and learn according to their own unique capabilities. The Montessori approach to education allows the development of the whole personality of the child.


Maple Tree’s “Casa dei Bambini” (Children's House)
The Maple Tree Casa program is for 3-5 year olds who are toilet trained. It involves young children in a series of activities that are sequential, manipulative and sensorial. Ultimately, these exercises bridge the gap between concrete and abstract learning.

Practical Life tasks help the children develop gross and fine motor skills. These activities offer the children the means to take care of themselves and their environment.

Sensorial exercises develop and enhance sense perceptions and logical thinking vital to growing minds.
Following these early exercises, the children soon seek to gain an understanding of the academic materials present in their classrooms. Children are introduced to language activities and learn the shapes and sounds of letters, begin manipulating writing utensils, and learn to build words, which leads to reading.

Mathematics activities foster a concrete understanding of the mathematical concepts. As the children's interests grow and develop, they move from one level to the next. Each step of the way is prepared to ensure success.

Cultural activities include music, physical education, basic science, French, geography, zoology, botany and art taught at a sensorial level. These activities assist the child to become a compassionate, knowledgeable and loving citizen of the Casa world.

Program Structure and Fees
Parents can drop off their child between 8:30 and 9:00a.m.  The children begin their Montessori work at 9:00a.m.  Maple Tree provides local, organic, nutritious snacks and lunch. Children get daily outside time to play and discover the environment around them. Each week, the children receive musical instruction, yoga, and other special activities.  The afternoons are filled with Montessori work, art projects, and free play until pick-up (between 5:00 and 5:30p.m.).

2 full-days/week (T,Th)------------$420/month
3 full-days/week (M,W.F)----------$600/month
5 full-days per week----------------$983/month
Fees are payable at the beginning of each month, with post-dated cheques provided upon enrollment*.
*A discount of 5% will be provided for full-year fees paid upon enrollment.
--The Fees above are provided for information but are subject to change without notice--

The School Year
Maple Tree’s school year generally follows the public school calendar and runs from September to June, and is closed for the following holidays: Thanksgiving Day; Remembrance Day; Christmas/New Year holiday period; Heritage Day; March break; Good Friday; Easter Monday; Victoria Day.

Important Dates for 2019/20
Aug. 19 to 23 Orientation for New Children 8:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Aug. 26 to 30  Orientation for New Children 8:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Tues. Sept 3    First Day of School
Thurs Sept 26 Terry Fox Little Fox Run.
Mon. Sept 30  Picture Day
Tues. Oct 1      Picture Day
Mon. Oct 14   Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
Mon. Oct 21    MTM Book Club 7- 9 p.m. Oxford Street (Topic: Geography)
Thurs. Oct 30  Halloween celebration – Your child may wear their costume to school on this day
Fri.     Oct 31   Halloween celebration – Your child may wear their costume to school on this day
Mon. Nov 4    Parent-Teacher Night 7-9 p.m. Oxford Street Campus
Tues. Nov 5    Parent-Teacher Night 7-9 p.m. Quinpool Rd. Campus
Mon. Nov 11    MTM Closed ~Remembrance Day Observed~
Dec. 19 & 20   Pajama Days at MTM
Fri. Dec 20      Last Day of school before Christmas Break
Mon. Jan 6     First Day of school after the New Year (2020)
Mon. Feb 17   Heritage Day MTM Closed
March 18-22   MTM Closed for March Break
Mon. Mar 25   First Day back after March Break
Fri. April 10    MTM Closed for Good Friday
Mon. April 13 Closed for Easter Monday
Mon. April 20 Parent-Teacher Night 7-9 p.m. Oxford Street Campus
Tues. April 21 Parent-Teacher Night 7-9 p.m. Quinpool Rd Campus
Mon. May 11  MTM Book Club 7-9 p.m. Cork St. Campus (Topic: Sensorial/Bells )
Mon. May 18  Closed for Victoria Day Holiday
Fri.  Jun 12    MTM Street Party
Friday June 19  Last day of 2019/20 Preschool Year
 
Mon. Jun 22   Summer Program Starts (this program will run for Eight Weeks and if offered at our Oxford Street Campus Only~ Details will be sent out in February)

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